Amor de Contramano, Crazy Talent, and an unmissable Saturday card are set to light up Palermo

With eyes on the Polla de Potrillos, Polla de Potrancas, and the San Martín, Saturday’s card at Palermo will feature a trio of Group 2 events: the Clásico Antonio Cané, Clásico General Luis María Campos, and Clásico Comparación

Amor de Contramano looks to get back to his winning ways / JUAN I. BOZZELLO

The Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo is gearing up for a high-stakes Saturday as the road to September’s Triple Crown opener heats up. With the G1 Pollas and the G1 Gran Premio San Martín looming on the horizon, this weekend’s action will serve as a crucial preview of what’s to come.

Saturday’s card is loaded with black-type potential, anchored by a trio of Group 2 events. The colts will take center stage in the Clásico Miguel Cané (G2, 1600m, dirt), the fillies will clash in the Clásico General Luis María Campos (G2, 1600m, dirt), and older distance specialists will line up in the Clásico Comparación (G2, 2400m, turf), setting the stage for a compelling day of racing.

In the Cané, all eyes will be on Amor de Contramano (Gouverneur Morris), the impressive winner of the Gran Premio Montevideo (G1) who was most recently second-best to Drive Joy (Fortify) in the Estrellas Juvenile (G1). The flashy gray will aim to rebound against a full field that includes Curious Song (Sixties Song), Full Keynote (Full Mast), Gardel Pass (Distinctiv Passion), Gordianus (Señor Candy), Hi Scottish (Hi Happy), Jazz Disfrute (Hi Happy), Liberto(Hurricane Cat), Nevado Catedral (Gouverneur Morris), and Piu (Leofric).

The Campos has drawn just six entries, but promises quality over quantity with Citadelle (Fortify), Moon Frank (Gidu), My Pride (Daddy Long Legs), Queen Elinor (Señor Candy), Sweet Sabrina (Daniel Boone), and The Great Village(The Great Day) set to face off.

The highlight among older horses will come in the Clásico Comparación, where the brilliant Crazy Talent (Equal Talent) will attempt to complete the Chacabuco–Comparación double after a dominant performance last out. He’ll face a strong lineup including G1 winners Ceniza Pampa (Hat Ninja) and Special Dubai (E Dubai), along with Demostrame(Endorsement), Don Champagne (Long Island Sound), Gadzooks (Galán de Cine), Oleguer (Equal Stripes), and Saphirus Blue (Daniel Boone).

Looking ahead, Monday, August 4, will feature the Clásico Sierra Balcarce (2200m, turf) for older fillies and mares, with a full field entered: Argomasa (Lucullan), Beauty de Triomphe (Cima de Triomphe), Gala Máxima (Galán de Cine), Kalansara (Fortify), Maximiana (Treasure Beach), Olimpia de Epiro (Southern Cat), Potra Decimal (Aerosol), Reina Casada (Long Island Sound), Risible (Orpen), and Titmus (Cima de Triomphe).

A packed program lies ahead as the spring season edges ever closer.